Wine Cellar Mold Prevention

From the microgravity environment aboard the International Space Station to the microclimates of the Napa Valley, station research may influence on different industries on the Earth.

The latest video in the “Benefits for Humanity” series explains how growing crops in space could be helpful in the prevention of mold in wine cellars. Mold inclines to grow in wine barrel storage rooms due to stagnant air. This not only can taint the wine, but also it can create an unhealthy working environment for winemakers. Luckily, a solution created for optimizing crop growth on the space station has helped reduce the amount of airborne mold spores in wine cellars.

NASA is studying crop growth aboard the space station in a purpose to evolve the ability for astronauts to grow their own food as part of the agency’s journey to Mars.

Through collaboration with the University of Wisconsin, researchers developed and successfully tested an ethylene removal system in space, called Advanced Astroculture (ADVASC). It helped to keep the plants alive by removing viruses, bacteria and mold from the plant growth chamber. Winemakers soon took note of the technology and employed it in their storage cellars.

Andrew Schweiger, winemaker at Schweiger Vineyards in St. Helena from California, claimed that it’s amazing when you think about all the innovations that are going on up in space, how they can come into a place as unexpected as a winery, which translates to benefits on your dinner table.

Technology adapted from ADVASC is also used to protect houses and medical institutions from mailed around the world.

Full article: www.bulletinleader.com/new-technology-in-benefits-for-humanity-by-nasa/67696